Israel vs France Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 UEFA Nations League | League A Group 2
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In League A of the UEFA Nations League, we have a heavyweight showdown on Thursday with Italy facing Belgium but the other game is also intriguing as Israel and France meet in the neutral venue of Bozsik Arena in Budapest.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Thursday 10th October, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – FOX Sports streaming platforms
ISRAEL PREVIEW: DIFFICULT START
Coached by Ran Ben Shimon, the Israeli national team are playing in their first ever League A campaign in the UEFA Nations League as they try to continue the development at senior level that has been shown at youth group levels in recent years.
They did begin the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League season with back-to-back defeats last month, though. They lost 3-1 to Belgium in Brussels, despite being level at half-time, before then losing 2-1 to Italy once again at the Bozsik Arena.
FRANCE PREVIEW: PRESSURE ON DESCHAMPS
Didier Deschamps has been in charge of six major tournaments as France boss and he remains on course to take charge of a seventh at the 2026 FIFA World Cup but Les Bleus’ underwhelming performances may now finally be matching up with their results.
They reached the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2024 but didn’t score from open play until the final four and, following a 2-0 defeat of Belgium last month, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Italy a few days later, despite taking the lead inside 15 seconds.
ISRAEL TEAM NEWS: SEVERAL INJURIES
Israel are dealing with several injury issues ahead of this international break with Manor Solomon, on loan at Leeds United from Tottenham Hotspur, among those that are set to be unavailable for the nominal hosts.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Gerafi; Feingold, Nachmias, Shlomo, Gropper; Kanichowsky, Abu Fani; Abada, Peretz, Gloukh; Khalaili
UNAVAILABLE: Revivo (Injured), Jehezkel (Injured), Lavi (Injured), Solomon (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
FRANCE TEAM NEWS: GRIEZMANN RETIREMENT
France have no injury issues to deal with within the squad selected but their selection is dominated by the absence of Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, who announced his international retirement from Les Bleus last week.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Kante, Kone, Guendouzi; Dembele, Mbappe, Thuram
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
ISRAEL VS FRANCE PREDICTION
As mentioned, Israeli football has improved in recent years and their U21 side did reach the semi-finals of the UEFA U21 European Championships last month. They are in a very tough group for this UEFA Nations League campaign. France aren’t playing well and haven’t for quite a long time but the two-time world champions, especially in a neutral venue, should still do their usual thing of grinding to victory.
ISRAEL VS FRANCE TIP: FRANCE TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
